Obituary of William Howard Dennett

On November 20th, 2020, Will Dennett, 58, of Camden-Rockport passed away after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer, lasting three and half years. Will’s family has lived on Dennett Farm in Kittery, Maine, for over 300 years: he is a true native, although he spent his childhood years in Timber Cove, Texas, where his father worked at NASA. Will was a member of a Tom Sawyer pack of boys, tearing around the neighborhood on bikes and skateboards and always in and out of scrapes. A bright bundle of energy, Will kept his mother and father on their toes at all times with his antics, which ranged from raiding construction sites for treehouse materials to tenderly caring for his flock of ducks. It was in Texas that Will learned to sail and surf, both allowing him to skim over the waves with reckless grace and abandon, a passion that lasted all his life. He began his career as a sailmaker at Cameron Sails in Seabrook, Texas. Hitchhiking to California with his surfboard at 18, Will spent the next 14 years sailing in every ocean on the globe, thrilled by the exotic places and wonderful people he met everywhere. People were another of Will’s great passions. He could find qualities to appreciate and tease in just about everyone - his humor was never cutting. With a single image he could capture the unique mystery of another human being, so that you knew he enjoyed your company. Generous always, even when in pain, Will was kind to his nurses and medical team, whom he treated as good friends. During his last stay at the hospital, when he could not eat, Will pushed aside the curtain to ask his roommate how his first dinner after abdominal surgery was. Will made friends from every walk of life, setting each person at ease with warmth, wit, and respect. Will also always had time and a special place in his heart for animals. He would not hesitate to stop and help a turtle cross Route 1, or to give his full attention to dogs in particular. Will deeply appreciated beauty in all forms. He loved clean spare lines, the bold curves of sails and hulls, contrasting angles and planes. A true artist, he possessed the brilliant and intuitive ability to “see” things as yet uncreated, and to give life to that vision, in both buildings and boats. He launched Aurora Sails and Canvas in Camden in 1997, and was sought out over 20 years for the fine quality of his work. Will loved the beauty in nature with all of his being. The flash and arc of a porpoise fin, the motion contained within ocean waves and ripples, the light breaking through a bank of steel gray clouds – these pierced Will with sudden joy and delight. Creation was an endlessly beautiful masterpiece to Will and filled him with a gratitude and wonder that was contagious. All that Will adored found its deepest expression in his love for his beloved family and friends. His pride and happiness in his children, Grace, Elazar, Caroline, Kaia and Oren knew no bounds, and sustained him through the grueling times of the last few years. Every person who knew Will, even in impatient moments, has known the joy of his nature and felt a treasure in his friendship. We are so grateful for his life. Will is survived by his daughters; Caroline, Grace, and Kaia; and his son Oren. He is also survived by his siblings: Sarah Dennett, and Peter Dennett and his wife Robin, as well as their respective families. He will be remembered by his many friends who felt more like family, including Katherine White, Owen Morong, Jenifer Christensen, and Jeff Sherman. Will was predeceased by his son Elazar; his parents, Louise and Armistead Dennett; and his brother-in-law, Alan Miller. At present time, no service will be held. Will’s family plans to host a service when the time is right. Memories and condolences may be offered at www.directcremationofmaine.com